Belgian regulator BIPT awarded temporary 5G licences in the 3600-3800 MHz band to five operators. Orange Belgium, Telenet Group, Cegeka, Entropia Investments and Proximus will get 40 MHz spectrum each. The provisional 5G licences shall be valid until an auction is organised.
The award of temporary 5G licences in Belgium began on 30 January 2020. Six operators responded to the regulator’s call for tenders. One of them withdrew and the remaining five, now awarded the licences, met the conditions.
From 24 March to 24 April, BIPT organised a public consultation on the award of 200 MHz spectrum in temporary licences. After processing around 1,000 comments submitted within the consultation, BIPT granted the licences on 14 July 2020.
The five operators were awarded the following spectrum blocks:
| Orange | 3680-3780 MHz |
| Telenet | 3600-3640 MHz |
| Cegeka | 3720-3760 MHz |
| Entropia | 3640-3680 MHz |
| Proximus | 3760-3800 MHz |
The spectrum holders will pay €10,500 per MHz a year. For the 40 MHz it makes €420,000 a year. Each licensee has to pay a bank guarantee of €840,000, which would cover the spectrum fee for two years.
The operators must start using the granted frequencies by 1 March 2021 at the latest.
BIPT wants to organise the auction before 6 May 2025.